Welcome to the November newsletter

This is the last issue for 2022 and we want to thank you all for being part of this thriving and connected community of HR professionals. We look forward to bringing you all together again in 2023.

Sector HR News and Resources

People Matters Employee Survey (PMES) 2022 results and resources

The PMES 2022 ran from 22 August to 16 September. The sector achieved a 49% response rate, which is a significant increase from last year. The PMES 2022 sector, cluster and agency reports are now available.

If you support your executive team, senior leaders and managers to interpret results, share reports and implement action plans, then please check out the updated PMES 2022 guides and other resources.

People Manager Hub now more user-friendly

Are you responsible for people manager development in your agency? The PSC has refreshed the People Manager Hub with relevant, easy to find resources.

The hub covers a wide range of resources that align to the 4 domains of the People Manager Frame. There are also selected, practical resources from the People Manager Fundamentals online program available to use. Please share the People Manager Hub with your people managers and encourage them to use the resources for their development.

Capability Application Tool and briefing session

The PSC’s Capability Application Tool can make the NSW public sector job application process more accessible for candidates. It can help them understand how the Capability Framework informs role descriptions, job applications and interviews. To reach candidates at the point of application, your agency can provide a link to the tool in role advertisements as well as promote it to internal candidates.

If you’re interested in learning how you can use the tool to help staff explore development and mobility opportunities, implement workforce transition and redeployment plans, or if you just want to explore sample questions to create interview guides then please watch this recording of the recent briefing session.

New Public Service Commissioner directions and Behaving Ethically guide

The Commissioner has issued two new Directions on the management of gifts and benefits and the code of ethics and conduct for NSW Government employees. These supersede previous Directions on these topics and all government sector agencies were required to implement the standards and code by 1 November 2022.

A refreshed Behaving Ethically guide helps agencies develop ethical cultures, leadership and workplace practices based on the NSW public sector values of integrity, trust, service and accountability. Access the updated guide today for practical examples, tools and templates to help HR professionals build an ethical culture in their agencies.

Inclusion Forum

On October 18, the PSC held the first in a new series of forums for HR professionals interested in diversity and inclusion.

The forum focused on intersectionality and equipped attendees with the knowledge and skills to advocate for intersectionality and to apply intersectional thinking to their existing inclusion and workforce management strategies. Keynote speaker, Cate Thomas provided a presentation on how intersectionality drives greater inclusion and a panel of sector employees shared insights about how to apply intersectional best practice. Participants were also introduced to the PSC’s new Belonging and Inclusion Library.

For more information about the Inclusion Forum please email diversity.inclusion@psc.nsw.gov.au

Enhanced paid parental leave

The enhanced paid parental leave policy commenced on 1 October and supports more equal sharing of parental responsibilities. It is now available to all eligible public sector employees, regardless of gender.

Paid parental leave can now be taken within the first 24 months from birth. Employees can access up to 14 weeks’ paid parental leave, an additional 2 weeks’ leave for parents who share caring more equally, and 5 days’ fertility leave. Read more on the paid parental leave policy.

Public Service Commission customer survey

Thank you to everyone who completed the PSC’s first customer survey. Over 250 people shared their feedback. The PSC is currently undertaking a series of interviews with a sample of customers to gain further insights in particular areas.

Your feedback helps the PSC better understand your needs and will be used to inform their customer strategy. The PSC plans to share the survey results and next steps early next year.

Upcoming events

Inspire Collaborative event: Diving into the digital skills shortage

Are you involved in strategic workforce planning or interested in diving into the digital skills shortage? Digital skills are more important than ever as the work we do and the way we do it continues to evolve. Join the next Inspire Collaborative event on Tuesday 13 December at 9:30-10:30 am. Accenture will present their research and the Department of Customer Service will speak about the initiatives they are using to attract digital talent.

Your learning and development opportunities

HR ComPrac November event: Driving talent acquisition success

HR practitioners and hiring managers are facing uncommon challenges in the recruitment, selection and retention of talent. In this HR ComPrac event, our speakers explored the current talent landscape and shared how agencies have been applying employee value proposition and other creative talent sourcing solutions to drive talent acquisition success.

If you missed this development opportunity you can watch the event recording now.

The Spark: Shaping a World Class HR podcast series

The Spark HR Podcast series features HR experts sharing their insights on new ways of working in HR.

In episode 6 on people analytics, Richard Griffiths, NSW Health Executive Director, Workforce Planning & Talent Development, discusses trends in establishing and maturing the people analytics team. If you’re looking at ways to develop your HR team, we encourage you to use the podcast and questions to explore the ideas presented.

Skills for Success: Managing Change

The Institute of Public Administration Australia’s (IPAA) 6-part series, Skills for Success, develops the foundational skills needed to succeed in a changing work environment.

Managing Change is a 1-hour virtual, interactive workshop being held on Tuesday 14 February 2023 from 10:00 to 11:00am. All NSW public sector employees can join IPAA as affiliate members, free of charge. Register here for the Managing Change workshop.

Subscribing to the HR ComPrac keeps you up to date with sector-wide news, provides opportunities for development and allows you to grow your network. If you have colleagues who are not part of the community or if you have new team members, please encourage them to sign up.

Does your organisation have resources or cases studies relevant to HR professionals? Would you like to share your great work with the sector and contribute to the development of other HR professionals? Please contact CoHRP@psc.nsw.gov.au if you’d like to share.